Welsh regulator report highlights medicine storage concerns

Medicines not safely stored were among the significant concerns or risks found in GP practices during 2023-2024.

Ten of 21 inspections of GP practices across Wales in 2023-24 were conducted as part of the Welsh regulator’s immediate assurance process, its annual report of healthcare services in Wales finds.

Other immediate assurance issues included:

Incomplete safeguarding records and poor follow up of concerns
Checks of emergency equipment and drugs not completed
No DBS checks on staff including admin/reception staff

Elsewhere in the report, the regulator found GP practices to be struggling under significant pressure post-pandemic and continuing to face unprecedented demand.

Due to practice closures, staff shortages and long hospital waiting lists for treatment the pressure on GP services continues to rise.

However, there are GP workforce pressures and patients report difficulties in accessing GP appointments.

The report concludes that leaders should consider the repeated concern from patients who are unable to access the service and consider what else can be done to alleviate the pressure on GP services.

Wales